Warning to watch for toxic mushrooms

BALLARAT residents have been urged to look out for toxic mushrooms in the region.

BALLARAT residents have been urged to look out for toxic mushrooms in the region.

Be aware of what is a toxic mushroom. CONTRIBUTED

Following a recent Canberra report about the poisonous toadstool known as the death cap, The Courier nature writer, Roger Thomas, said it was timely to warn of the dangers of consuming mushroom-like fungi.

Mr Thomas said although he was unaware of the death cap toadstool in the Ballarat region, the yellow-stainer mushroom was common.

“(The yellow-stainer) can make some people seriously ill,” Mr Thomas said.

“Mushrooms found in the North Gardens, near Lake Wendouree, are a yellow-staining mushroom and look similar to the edible field mushroom.

“However, the difference is the yellow stain produced when scratching the surface of the cap.

“This stain occurs within a few seconds of scratching or bruising. A snapped stem also turns yellow almost immediately.”

Mr Thomas said some people who ate the yellow-stainer might suffer serious gastro-intestinal symptoms.

“Care should be taken to wash hands after handling suspect mushrooms,” he said.